Profiling the lipophilic fractions of Pithecellobium dulce bark and leaves using GC/MS and evaluation of their antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities.

<p><em>Pithecellobium</em><em> dulce</em> has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments owing to its restorative properties. The biological activities and chemical profiles of the lipophilic fraction of <em>P. dulce</em> bark and leaves were assessed herein. Fatty acid methyl esters (<st1:stockticker w:st="on">FAME</st1:stockticker>) and unsaponifiable matter (<st1:stockticker w:st="on">USM</st1:stockticker>) were prepared and analyzed by GC/MS. A total of 40 compounds were identified in the bark saponifiable fraction, whereas, 9 compounds were annotated in the leaves. Palmitic acid methyl ester was the major compound identified accounting for 41.48% of the bark and 19.03% of the leaves composition. Besides, linolenic acid methyl ester (22.40%), linoleic acid (12.69%) were annotated in the leaves saponifiable fraction. A total of 63 compounds were detected in the bark <st1:stockticker w:st="on">USM</st1:stockticker> and 4 compounds were identified in the leaves. Phytol represented the major component in the leaves (52.57%) followed by lupeol (20.68 %) and lupenone (8.60%). Meanwhile, <em>n</em>-dodecane dominated in the bark <st1:stockticker w:st="on">USM</st1:stockticker> accounting for 24.69% of the total composition. The leaves and bark lipophilic fractions revealed moderate antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Both extracts showed no antifungal activity. No cytotoxicity was observed for both lipophilic fractions. <em>P. dulce</em> offers a good source of antioxidant compounds that can be introduced to food and pharmaceutical industry.</p>.